Alicia
I love this movie so much
AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Keeley Coleman
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
gridoon2018
Sexy Sophia is always worth watching (even when saddled with possibly the worst hairstyle of her career), and she is well-supported here by Peter Finch, Jack Hawkins and Hans Verner, but this is one of her lesser films. More than the entire first hour is all setup, and lacks tension. Things get a little more engaging in the last half hour, and the film does close with some well-staged epic-scale battle scenes. So it's not quite the BOMB Leonard Maltin classifies it as. But the ending leaves the story unfinished - were they naively hoping for a "Judith II"? **1/2 out of 4.
clanciai
Underrated drama widely more interesting and exciting than the mammoth "Exodus", which by all means has its great qualities, but this is more universal in its deeper human presentation. Sophia Loren has been described as miscast in this role, but that doesn't diminish her acting qualities. She is always superb and no less here than in any other of her films. It's true, her make-up and hair style, eye mascara and sometimes overwhelming sex appeal might seem a little out of place for a concentration camp veteran with a past as a German officer's s fling bent only revenge in extreme bitterness dominating all her life, but Sophia Loren manages it. Although she is as flamboyant a character as she is, she makes even this ruin of a girl a convincing character.Peter Finch is equally good and as perfect as ever, while Jack Hawkins as the major approaching the end of the line gives the film the one soft touch it needs to become supremely interesting.Saul Kaplan's music is also very adequate, actually vying with the "Exodus" theme sometimes, so there is nothing wrong with this film. On the contrary, it is underrated and as a human drama much more interesting and engaging than "Exodus", and Peter Finch is more convincing than Paul Newman.
MartinHafer
I am a big believer in historical accuracy in films and when a film excels I try to point it out...and when it fails I quickly do the same. In many ways. "Judith" is a fine film but when it comes to the central character, the filmmakers seem much more concerned about Sophia Loren as a sexy 1960s icon than a credible actress. Too often, she is inexplicably wearing what appear to be Chanel suits and is perfectly coiffed...like a 1960s Italian movie star. However, the film is supposed to be about a Jewish woman who escaped extermination in a Nazi death camp....and showing the lovely and super well-coiffed Loren in this role seemed not only stupid but a bit insulting.Judith (Loren) is a woman who miraculously survived a death camp. She's lost her son and her husband, Gustav Schiller, turned her in to the SS!! Not surprisingly, she hates the man and wants him dead- -but she also wants to force him to tell her what happened to their son. However, the Haganah (Israeli Defense) wants the guy as well, as he's now working with the Syrians--using his knowledge about German tank tactics to aid in the destruction of the soon to be announced state of Israel. If they had completely re-cast the part of Judith, had her at least appear in passing to be possibly Jewish and they had her wear normal and appropriate clothing for the era, the film would have been much, much better. Still, it's a strong story and worth seeing--that's why in spite of the problems I still give it a 7. How and why Loren was cast for this film is something I would really love to see. I am NOT being anti-Loren--she was marvelous in many movies but this one is just well beyond her range. Had the filmmakers done a better job in this respect, the film easily could have earned an 8 or 9.
wall-creeper
This film is a superb film. I managed to get the soundtrack of it on vinyl but have not seen it anywhere on DVD. I think it is possibly one of Sophia Loren's best films. Does anyone know if it is likely to be released at any time. This film used to be shown regularly on British television and now seems to have gone into the archives. The film shows a very good matching of characters to the parts they play. Jack Hawkins also plays his character with feeling and depth.The subject matter to certain people in view of the current situation in Israel could make this film a little to near the mark for certain people. I would ask that someone reviews the issue of non availability on DVD.
